Dependable performance igniter

ABSTRACT

An igniter such as may be utilized in agriculture for providing abundant quantities of hot gas and/or hot particles to ignite burners and/or combustible material in the event of low temperature. Involved are a novel cartridge-containing housing and easily operated breech mechanism, with the cartridge arranged to be fired in a very dependable and repeatable manner at such time as freezing temperatures have caused an elongation of an actuator associated with the cartridge-triggering mechanism. Alternatively, the actuator for causing a triggering of the cartridge may be caused to elongate by fuel pressure being supplied to the burners to be ignited by the igniters.

nit States Patent 31m Kafka 1 1 Jan. 1%, W72

54] DEPENDABLE PERFORMANCE 1,988,512 1 1935 Raney .43 1/269 x IGNHTER Primary ExaminerEdward G. F avors; Attorney-Julian C. Renfro [57] ABSTRACT An igniter such as may be utilized in agriculture for providing abundant quantities of hot gas and/or hot particles to ignite burners and/or combustible material in the event of low temperature. involved are a novel cartridge-containing housing and easily operated breech mechanism, with the cartridge arranged to be fired in a very dependable and repeatable manner at such time as freezing temperatures have caused an elongation of an actuator associated with the cartridge-trig gering mechanism. Alternatively, the actuator for causing a triggering of the cartridge may be caused to elongate by fuel pressure being supplied to the burners to be ignited by the igniters.

22 Claims 10 Drawin Fi ures 45 WW: g g

PATENIEU JAN 8 m2 SHEET 1 OF 4 ATTORNEY PATENTED m 1 r372 SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR ROBERT S. KAFKA TAN K F/ G. 9 7 ATTORNEY DEPENDABLE PERFORMANCE llGNlTlER This invention relates to an igniter, and more particularly to an igniter characterized by its repeatability, rugged construction, low cost, and ease of operation, which can be set to furnish ample and sufficient amounts of hot burning gases and hot particles at such time as a particular event, such as freezing temperature, has in fact occurred.

In the past, a number of igniter-type devices have been proposed, but in each known instance these have either been of very elaborate and costly construction, or alternatively have been characterized by their undependability insofar as providing ignition to a smudge pot or heater on a precise basis when certain ambient conditions prevail. For example, one commercially available device is known to be incapable of providing operation any closer than 6 to the desired operating temperature.

In accordance with the present invention, I have provided a novel igniter device incorporating many highly advantageous features, including ease of cocking and safety aspects, in conjunction with which component, an improved form of temperature-sensing device is utilized, with the result being that the novel apparatus is simple to use, easy to maintain, and can be relied upon to provide a proper amount of hot burning gases and hot particles at precisely the time that conditions such as freezing conditions would warrant ignition taking place.

A preferred embodiment of my invention may comprise a housing such as of metal and of elongated construction, in the interior of which a cartridge can be contained. A breech block is hinged at one end of the housing and capable of being moved between an open position when the cartridge can be inserted, and a closed position in which the cartridge can be fired.

A sear is hingedly and rotatably mounted on the breech block and movable between cocked and released positions, the operation of which controls the firing sequence. A firing pin assembly comprising a firing pin and a cocking pin are slidably disposed in the housing, with the arrangement being such that the cocking pin controls the positioning of the firing pin. The cocking pin is spring biased to protrude from the housing at a location adjacent the sear on the breech block, with the sear, when in a cocked position and the breech closed, normally holding back the cocking pin and hence holding the firing pin away from a position making contact with the primer. The arrangement is such that when the sear is released, the cocking pin is allowed to move under its spring bias and hence allow the firing pin to move and cause firing of the primer. A curved channel is provided in the breech block through which channel burning gases evolved as a result of the firing of the cartridge are conducted to a remote location. As will be apparent, a pipe or tube may be attached to the device and utilized for carrying the burning gases to a wick, burner or the like to cause ignition thereof.

A sensitive latch may be utilized for holding the sear in its cocked position, and other means can be arranged to control the operation of the sensitive latch, so that the sear will be released only when such an event has taken place. For example, the means for releasing the sensitive latch can be a temperature sensitive device, arranged to operate at a low temperature.

Significantly, the cartridge is arranged and disposed in such a way with respect to the outlet means that a so-called backward burning takes place, or in other words, gases move out of the chamber in the direction opposite to the direction in which the burning of the cartridge takes place. Because of this advantageous arrangement, dangerous buildups of pressure cannot take place, as would otherwise occur if the cartridge body itself was disposed between the flame front and the outlet means.

Other facets of this invention include the use of a breech and sear arrangement that can be easily reset without tools after operation of the device; the use of a primer in conjunction with the cartridge that is so positioned as not to cause firing of the cartridge if ignited, except when the breech block is involved, and the use of a sear assembly having an arm that may be regarded as a flag to indicate even from a distance that a firing ofthe igniter has taken place.

It is therefore a principal object of my invention to provide a highly effective, low-cost igniter that can be depended upon to ignite a burner, wick or the like upon a preestablished low temperature being reached.

It is another object of my invention to provide an igniter having many features of safety, convenience and simplicity, such that it can be put into widespreadl use, and utilized in the field without fear of faulty operation, and without any extensive training program being necessary for its use.

These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from a study of the appended drawings in which:

FIG. I is an overall perspective view of my novel igniter, disposed approximately in a normal operating position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view to a larger scale of the housing of the igniter, showing the breech in the open position, and the cartridge partially inserted;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the housing to reveal internal construction;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, taken with the housing inverted with respect to the showing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of a typical temperature responsive element used with this invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the breech closed and the sear latched.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view showing other details of internal construction, including the firing pin assembly and the path of hot gases from the primer to the cartridge;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sear assembly;

FIG. 9 is a view, partly in schematic, to show an embodiment of my invention in which a series of igniters are involved; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a temperature-responsive element disposable in a fuel line.

Referring to FIG. 1 it will be noted that my igniter device 10 principally comprises a housing member II, which may be of metal and of generally elongated construction. The housing contains a plurality of holes drilled or otherwise formed therein, which holes are typically parallel to the longitudinal centerline through the housing. One of "these holes is adapted to contain a large compression spring, and another a deflagrating charge such as a cartridge. These and other details of internal construction will be discussed at greater length hereinafter.

The housing 11 is typically supported for a distance off the ground by a rod 12 or the like, which may be ofa length such that the igniter will be supported in a desired relationship to a pot of oil, a wick, a burner or the like that on occasion is to be ignited by the igniter. Hingedly disposed at the front or active end of the housing 11 is a breech block 13, which is movable between a closed position shown in FIG. l, and an open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Extending from the outer portion of the breech block is a malleable or deformable pipe or tube 16, which is designed to supply hot burning gases and hot particles through the end 18 of the pipe onto wick 19 or other such material that is to be ignited at the appropriate time. An inductor 20, such as may be formed by a plurality of appropriately placed holes, is provided just. above the end of the tube so that air can be induced into the burning gases to create an oxidizing atmosphere. This inductor can of course take other forms.

The breech block 113 may be hinged at its bottom portion as viewed in FIG. 2, but I am not to be limited to that arrangement, for the breech block can be mounted in a different position if such be desired. The housing 11 in FIG. d is inverted from the position shown in FIG. I, and in FIG. 4 is revealed a pin 26 upon which the breech is pivotally mounted. At a portion on the housing opposite the hinge is a spring latch M, which has a hole therein to receive a pin 15 disposed on the breech block. This pin is to be received at such time as the breech block has been moved to the closed position, thus to accomplish a locking of the breech block.

When the breech block 13 has been moved to the open position revealed in FIG. 2, it will be noted that an elongated cartridge 21 can be inserted or removed, this cartridge being disposed in a suitable elongated aperture 17 disposed say on one side of the centerline of the housing. See FIG. 3. On the outer end of the cartridge is disposed a rim and ear arrangement 22, equipped with a hole 23 in which a primer 24 may be disposed. See FIG. 2. It will also be noted in this figure that a recess 25 is provided at the end of the housing so that the cartridge including the rim and car can be moved into a flush position with respect to the end of the housing.

It will also be noted in FIG. 2 that a spring-biased means such as a cocking pin 27 extends from the end of the housing. Its placement is such that it can extend into the space between the pair of arms 28, in which space is mounted the sear assembly 29, hereinafter referred to as the second means. The sear assembly is rotatably mounted in position between said arms by a suitable pin 30.

When the sear is in the released position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cocking pin can extend between the pair of arms freely when the breech is closed, inasmuch as the active or nose portion 31 of the sear has then been rotated to a position such that an opening or space is presented between the arms 28 through which the cocking pin can extend. However, when the sear has been moved to a cocked position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the gap between the arms is essentially filled by the nose of the sear. Therefore, when the sear has been moved to its cocked position while the breech is still in its open position and the breech thereafter closed, the cocking pin 27 is caused to be moved inwardly against the spring bias. This motion is of consequence inasmuch as shown in FIG. 3, the cocking pin is part of the firing pin assembly 32, which includes a firing pin 33 disposed in essentially parallel relationship to the cocking pin. The base 34 of the firing pin assembly is contacted by a large compression spring 35, which serves to normally bias the firing pin 33 into the direction of contact with the primer 24. However, when the sear is in the cocked position and the breech is in the closed position, the cocking pin 27 is maintained in a recessed position, which of course means that the spring 35 is tightly compressed. On the other hand, when the sear is released, the cocking pin 27 is allowed to move past the active or nose portion 31 of the scar and extend into the space between the arms 28, which of course means that the firing pin 33 is moved rapidly into forceful contact with the primer 24 because of the considerable force of the spring, to cause the firing of the primer, which in turn fires the cartridge.

It will be noted that an arm 36 is provided on the sear assembly to control the positioning of the nose portion 31 that is adapted to contact the cocking pin 27. Although I may make the sear and the operating arm of rugged construction, it nevertheless may be difficult to cock the sear when the breech has already been moved to the closed position. However, cocking is made very easy if the sear is first moved to its cocked position, in which the arm 36 is engaged by the hook portion 37 of a sensitive latch 38, thus to dispose the nose portion 31 of the sear in its active position. When this has been done, it is but a simple matter to thereafter close the breech block, and cause the hole in the spring latch 14 to slide over the pin and thus lock the breech block in the firing position.

As will be noted from FIG. 4 the sensitive latch 38 is rotatable about a pin 39, such as a screw, with clockwise rotation of the sensitive latch causing the hook 37 to release the arm of the sear, with the arrangement then appearing in a position as shown in FIG. 3. It should be noted that when the sear assembly has been moved to the uncocked position, the arm 36 acts as a visual flag to indicate that firing of the cartridge has taken place.

It is important to note in connection with FIG. 3 that the inner face of the breech block 13 is recessed as shown at 41, with the contour being such that the flame emanating from the primer will reverse its direction and then ignite the cartridge in the manner shown in this; figure. The hot gases and particles evolving from the cartridge thereafter flow forwardly through the aperture 43 and enter the upper end of the tubular pipe 16. The pipe is of an inner diameter and length such that a proper resistance will be presented to the hot gas pressure, thus enabling hot gases and particles to evolve from the end of the pipe in the proper quantities and velocities.

It is important to note that a backward" burning of the propellant contained in the cartridge takes place, with the relatively open chamber in front of the cartridge preventing pressure buildup and consequently allowing my invention to achieve a controlled velocity discharge with long duration.

A safety feature is implicit in my design in that the axis of the primer 24 is approximately parallel with the axis of the cartridge and spaced therefrom, thus making it virtually impossible for an accidental discharging of the primer to set off the cartridge. This is to say, the curved inner face or recess 41 of the breech is required to be in contact with the primer in order for the gases to curve around from the primer and ignite the cartridge.

Shown in FIG. 5 and other figures is an actuator 45 which undergoes a change of shape under certain conditions, which then causes the triggering means to ignite the cartridge. The actuator 45 is fastened such as by a bracket to the housing member 11, in the manner illustrated in FIG. I. It should be noted in FIG. 1 that a portion of the sensitive latch 38 is contacted by closure 46 of the actuator 45 when the breech is closed and the sear cocked. The actuator in FIG. 5 is temperature-sensitive, so when by falling temperatures the interior of the actuator is caused to elongate and its cap or closure 46 to move outwardly, the sensitive latch portion 47 is contacted, thus causing a pivoting of latch 38 about pin 39 and consequently causing the hook portion 37 of the sensitive latch to release the arm 36 of the sear assembly. This of course allows rotation of the sear under the influence of the powerful compression spring 35, the spring acting through the cocking pin 27, which contacts the nose member 31 of the sear. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the temperature responsive actuator 45, which can sense low temperatures, as described below. However, as described hereinafter, the actuator can be caused to change shape as a result of fuel pressure.

A primary utilization of my invention may involve the prevention of a citrus grove or agricultural crop from freezing, and to that end it may be desirable to utilize a temperature sensitive material in the actuator 45 that will freeze and thus at the approximately correct time elongate. It is known that water is most dense at 4 C., so a system containing water would trip the sensitive latch several degrees above 0 C. The use of water as the temperature sensitive material in the ac tuator would thus cause a waste of fuel if the desired temperature of operation is O C. and the temperature at the igniter never quite drops to this value. Consequently, I may prefer to dissolve chemicals in water so that the maximum density will be achieved at the desired temperature of operation. By proper choice of chemicals and their concentrations, I can control over a relatively wide range, the temperature at which actuation takes place. For example, a l to 4 percent solution of ammonia has its maximum density at approximately 0 C., and a 6 to 8 percent solution has its maximum density at approximately 5 C.

Another approach to temperature sensing which I have demonstrated concerns the use of a thermocouple made of two contiguous metals with different rates of contraction. As the temperature of the metals drops, the difference in shrinkage causes the slower contracting metal to move arod. Thus, at the desired temperature of operation, the rod will trip the sensitive latch.

In igniting burnable material, it is advantageous to supply ig nition means which both provides heat well above the ignition point, as well as providing heat that is maintained for a suitable period of time.

This is accomplished by supplying fine metal particles heated to incandescence by the combustion of a propellant. By mixing such metal particles in the proper ratio with the propellant in cartridge 21, the metal particles will be heated in the combustion zone and then driven to the desired point of ignition by the pressure produced in the combustion zone.

The actual ignition of the combustible material in the burner is caused by supplying hot particles, either metal or carbonaceous, at the burning zone in the presence of an oxidizing atmosphere. The oxidizing atmosphere is obtained by drawing in additional air, or by supplying an oxidizer as previously discussed.

Since the combustion of propellants produces hot carbonaceous particles, it is possible for the combustion products of unmetallized propellant, in the presence of an adequate oxidizing atmosphere, to ignite the burnable material. However, this action is far more reliable when the propellant is metallized,

There are several types of heating systems used in agriculture, and since the function of this invention is to ignite heaters, it must be adaptable to all types.

The inventionss applicability to the independent heater has already been covered. In that case, the igniter is to be tripped by an actuator which is temperature sensitive, and when the preset temperature drop has been reached, the actuator trips the igniter. This system is used for igniting old tires, baled fuels, separate gas or oil fired heaters or any independent heater.

However, a system which is gaining acceptance consists ofa series of burners to which fuel is fed by pump through a tubular distribution system. When the pump is switched on, fuel is fed to all the burners equally, but since the fuel drips from the burner nozzles drop by drop, it is difficult to ignite. For this reason, each burner is equipped with a pan under the nozzle, and when there is a sufficient accumulation of fuel in the pan, ignition is readily accomplished by firing the oil in the pan which in turn heats and ignites the oil subsequently dripping from the nozzle.

Referring to FIG. 9, it will be seen that I have there shown an ignition arrangement for a number of heaters involving a number of actuators 50. One of these actuators is shown in an enlarged and cutaway manner to reveal that it is comparable to the actuator 45 previously discussed, in that as expansion takes place therein sufficient to move the cap 46 outwardly, the portion 47 of the sensitive latch is contacted and tripping of the firing pin and firing of the cartridge (not shown in FIG. 9) is brought about. However, the elongation of the interior of each actuator 50 is brought about not by the cooling of a liquid, but rather as a result of the application offuel pressure. Note in FIG. 9 that fuel is supplied from an oil tank 52 by a pump 53 to a fuel line 54 connected to each actuator 50. Note in the cross-sectional view of an actuator 50 that the fuel line 54 connects to inlet 55. I preferably employ an orifice 51 in the housing of each actuator to give a suitable time delay, and I use filter material 56 to prevent particles from reaching the orifice, to possibly clog same.

Preferably, this fuel line and actuator arrangement is utilized in connection with a number of igniter devices 61 within the spirit of my invention. When as a result of actuator movement, the cartridges of the igniters are caused to fire, thus to cause burning gases and hot particles to travel down each pipe 62 so as to ignite the oil accumulated in each pan 59. The fuel line 54 is obviously connected to each of the several burners 57 to be used with each such arrangement, with the time delay afforded by the use of the orifice 51 in each housing of each actuator 50 preventing a tripping of the firing pin of the associated igniter until such time as oil dripping from the respective nozzle 58 has accumulated to sufficient depth in the respective pan 59.

Thus, the buildup of pressure in the oil line 54 is used to trip the igniters, but of course this tripping must not take place immediately, for as previously indicated, there would be insufficient oil in the pan to ignite. Thus, the occasion for the time delay from the time the oil pressure increases and starts pushing the actuator, to the time when the actuator moves the full amount necessary to trip the respective sensitive latch.

Further, since in agriculture freeze prevention there are two types of freezing conditions, it would continue to be desirable to be able to ignite individual heaters when a quiescent freeze occurs. In this connection the cold air moves into the low spots in the ares, and the ability to light only these burners would save very considerable fuel costs. For this condition, each burner can be equipped with a temperature sensitive turn-on valve of the type shown in detail at 65 in FIG. 10, and schematically in FIG. 9. Thus, the whole system could be pressurized, but only the burners in the areas where freezing is actually taking place would have the pressure released to the igniter, which would then operate as described previously. The movement of the valve in FIG. 10 away from its seat would take place as a result of the expansion of actuator 45, which is of the type of actuator filled with a suitable liquid of the nature previously discussed.

I claim:

1. An igniter having a combustion chamber, a self-contained propellant charge disposed in said combustion chamber, triggering means for causing ignition of said charge, thus to liberate large quantities of hot gases and hot particles, an actuator which undergoes a change of shape under certain conditions, for thus causing said triggering means to ignite said charge, and a tube extending from said combustion chamber and arranged to carry such large quantities of hot gases and hot particles resulting from such ignition to a location at which ignition of combustible materials is to be brought about.

2. The igniter as defined in claim 1 in which said tube has a discharge end around which an inductor is disposed, said inductor serving to cause the hot gases to draw in atmospheric air, thus to create an oxidizing atmosphere at the location where combustion is to be brought about.

3. The igniter is defined in claim 1 in which the actuator for operating said triggering means is a temperature sensitive device designed to expand at or about freezing temperature and thus to cause operation of said triggering means at an established temperature.

4. The igniter as defined in claim 1 in which said actuator for operating said triggering means is an expansion-type device connected to the fuel line for a burner to be ignited by the igniter, with the pressure of the fuel flowing through said line being sufficient to cause said actuator to expand, and thus the operation of said triggering means.

5. The igniter as defined in claim 4 in which a temperature controlled device is disposed in the fuel line of selected burners, so that fuel will be directed to each burner of a series of burners according to the localized ambient temperature.

6. The igniter as defined in claim l in which said charge takes the form of a replaceable cartridge.

7. The igniter as defined in claim 6 in which said cartridge is ignited by a primer, said primer being so disposed with respect to said cartridge, that accidental discharge of said primer can cause ignition of said cartridge only when it is confined in said combustion chamber.

8. An igniter having a combustion chamber, a self-contained charge disposed in said combustion chamber, triggering means for causing an ignition of said charge, an actuator which undergoes a change of shape under certain conditions, for thus causing said triggering means to ignite said charge, and a tube extending from said combustion chamber and arranged to carry hot gases and hot particles resulting from such ignition to a location at which combustion is to be brought about, said triggering means being arranged to cause ignition of the end of the charge nearest said tube, whereby burning can proceed through said charge to its other end, with the products of the combustion evolving continuously through said tube, without any blockage from the unburned charge.

9. An igniter as defined in claim 1 in which said combustion chamber is closed by a breech, firing pin means for causing on occasion an ignition of said cartridge, said firing pin being moved to a cocked position by a movement of said breech to its closed position.

10. An igniter comprising a housing, said housing being configured to contain a deflagrating charge therein, a breech block disposed at one end of said housing and capable of being moved between an open position in which the charge can be inserted, and a closed position in which the charge can be fired, sear means mounted on said breech block and movable between cocked and released positions, a firing pin assembly slidably disposed in said housing, said firing pin assembly comprising a firing pin and cocking means, with the position of said cocking means controlling the position of said firing pin, said firing pin assembly being spring biased such that said cocking means normally protrudes from said housing at a location adjacent said sear means of said breech block, said sear means, when in a cocked position with the breech closed, normally holding the cocking means and hence said firing pin assembly in a cocked position such that said firing pin is held away from a position making contact with said charge, said sear means, when released, allowing said cocking means to move under its spring bias and hence enabling the firing pin to move and cause firing of said charge, and outlet means mounted on said breech block through which the burning gases evolving from said charge are conducted to a remote location.

ll. The igniter as defined in claim 10 in which said charge includes a primer and a cartridge, with said primer being arranged so as on occasion to cause firing of said cartridge, said primer in turn being fired by being struck by said firing pin.

12. The igniter as defined in claim 10 including a sensitive latch for holding said sear means in a cocked position, and means for causing said sensitive latch to move, thus to release said sear means and as a consequence enabling the firing of said charge.

13. The igniter as defined in claim 12 in which said means for releasing said sensitive latch is a temperature sensitive device, arranged to operate at a preascertained low temperature.

14. The igniter as defined in claim 12 in which said means for releasing said sensitive latch is a pressure sensitive device, arranged to operate upon fuel pressure being supplied to the burner to be ignited by said igniter.

15. The igniter as defined in claim 14 in which a temperature controlled device is disposed in the fuel line of selected burners, so that fuel will be directed to each burner ofa series of burners according to the localized ambient temperature.

16. An igniter comprising a housing, said housing being configured to contain therein a cartridge and a primer for causing on occasion the firing of said cartridge, a breech block hinged at one end of said housing and capable of being moved between an open position when the cartridge is to be inserted, and a closed position in which the cartridge is to be fired, a sear rotatably mounted on said breech block and movable between cocked and released positions, a firing pin assembly slidably disposed in said housing, said firing pin assembly comprising a firing pin and a cocking pin, with the position of said cocking pin controlling the position of said firing pin, said cocking pin being spring biased to protrude from said housing at a location adjacent said sear on said breech block, said sear, when in a cocked position with the breech closed, normally holding the cocking pin and hence the firing pin assembly in a cocked position such that the firing pin is held away from a position making contact with said primer, said sear, when released, allowing said cocking pin to move under its spring bias and hence allow the firing pin to move and cause firing of said primer and consequently the firing of said cartridge, and outlet means mounted on said breech block through which burning gases evolving from said cartridge are conducted to a remote location.

17. The igniter as defined in claim 16 including a sensitive latch for holding said sear in a cocked position, and means for causing said sensitive latch to move, thus to release said sear and consequently cause the firing of said cartridge.

18. The igniter as defined in claim 17 in which said means for releasing said sensitive latch is a pressure responsive device.

19. The igniter as defined in claim 17 in which said means for releasing said sensitive latch is a temperature sensitive device, arranged to operate at a preestablished low temperature.

20. The igniter as defined in claim 16 in which the body of said cartridge extends essentially in a direction opposite the direction of said outlet means, thus disposing the portion of said cartridge being ignited on the side toward said outlet and hence able to supply burning gases without an undesirable pressure buildup being involved due to the presence of the unburned cartridge.

21. The igniter as defined in claim 3 in which said temperature sensitive device designed to expand at or about freezing temperature contains water to a large extent.

22. The igniter as defined in claim 3 in which said temperature sensitive device designed to expand at or about freezing temperature contains a thermocouple made of two contiguous metals with different rates of contraction.

KNOW 00 

1. An igniter having a combustion chamber, a self-contained propellant charge disposed in said combustion chamber, triggering means for causing ignition of said charge, thus to liberate large quantities of hot gases and hot particles, an actuator which undergoes a change of shape under certain conditions, for thus causing said triggering means to ignite said charge, and a tube extending from said combustion chamber and arranged to carry such large quantities of hot gases and hot particles resulting from such ignition to a location At which ignition of combustible materials is to be brought about.
 2. The igniter as defined in claim 1 in which said tube has a discharge end around which an inductor is disposed, said inductor serving to cause the hot gases to draw in atmospheric air, thus to create an oxidizing atmosphere at the location where combustion is to be brought about.
 3. The igniter is defined in claim 1 in which the actuator for operating said triggering means is a temperature sensitive device designed to expand at or about freezing temperature and thus to cause operation of said triggering means at an established temperature.
 4. The igniter as defined in claim 1 in which said actuator for operating said triggering means is an expansion-type device connected to the fuel line for a burner to be ignited by the igniter, with the pressure of the fuel flowing through said line being sufficient to cause said actuator to expand, and thus the operation of said triggering means.
 5. The igniter as defined in claim 4 in which a temperature controlled device is disposed in the fuel line of selected burners, so that fuel will be directed to each burner of a series of burners according to the localized ambient temperature.
 6. The igniter as defined in claim 1 in which said charge takes the form of a replaceable cartridge.
 7. The igniter as defined in claim 6 in which said cartridge is ignited by a primer, said primer being so disposed with respect to said cartridge, that accidental discharge of said primer can cause ignition of said cartridge only when it is confined in said combustion chamber.
 8. An igniter having a combustion chamber, a self-contained charge disposed in said combustion chamber, triggering means for causing an ignition of said charge, an actuator which undergoes a change of shape under certain conditions, for thus causing said triggering means to ignite said charge, and a tube extending from said combustion chamber and arranged to carry hot gases and hot particles resulting from such ignition to a location at which combustion is to be brought about, said triggering means being arranged to cause ignition of the end of the charge nearest said tube, whereby burning can proceed through said charge to its other end, with the products of the combustion evolving continuously through said tube, without any blockage from the unburned charge.
 9. An igniter as defined in claim 1 in which said combustion chamber is closed by a breech, firing pin means for causing on occasion an ignition of said cartridge, said firing pin being moved to a cocked position by a movement of said breech to its closed position.
 10. An igniter comprising a housing, said housing being configured to contain a deflagrating charge therein, a breech block disposed at one end of said housing and capable of being moved between an open position in which the charge can be inserted, and a closed position in which the charge can be fired, sear means mounted on said breech block and movable between cocked and released positions, a firing pin assembly slidably disposed in said housing, said firing pin assembly comprising a firing pin and cocking means, with the position of said cocking means controlling the position of said firing pin, said firing pin assembly being spring biased such that said cocking means normally protrudes from said housing at a location adjacent said sear means of said breech block, said sear means, when in a cocked position with the breech closed, normally holding the cocking means and hence said firing pin assembly in a cocked position such that said firing pin is held away from a position making contact with said charge, said sear means, when released, allowing said cocking means to move under its spring bias and hence enabling the firing pin to move and cause firing of said charge, and outlet means mounted on said breech block through which the burning gases evolving from said charge are conducted to a remote location.
 11. The igniter as defined in claim 10 in which said charge includes a pRimer and a cartridge, with said primer being arranged so as on occasion to cause firing of said cartridge, said primer in turn being fired by being struck by said firing pin.
 12. The igniter as defined in claim 10 including a sensitive latch for holding said sear means in a cocked position, and means for causing said sensitive latch to move, thus to release said sear means and as a consequence enabling the firing of said charge.
 13. The igniter as defined in claim 12 in which said means for releasing said sensitive latch is a temperature sensitive device, arranged to operate at a preascertained low temperature.
 14. The igniter as defined in claim 12 in which said means for releasing said sensitive latch is a pressure sensitive device, arranged to operate upon fuel pressure being supplied to the burner to be ignited by said igniter.
 15. The igniter as defined in claim 14 in which a temperature controlled device is disposed in the fuel line of selected burners, so that fuel will be directed to each burner of a series of burners according to the localized ambient temperature.
 16. An igniter comprising a housing, said housing being configured to contain therein a cartridge and a primer for causing on occasion the firing of said cartridge, a breech block hinged at one end of said housing and capable of being moved between an open position when the cartridge is to be inserted, and a closed position in which the cartridge is to be fired, a sear rotatably mounted on said breech block and movable between cocked and released positions, a firing pin assembly slidably disposed in said housing, said firing pin assembly comprising a firing pin and a cocking pin, with the position of said cocking pin controlling the position of said firing pin, said cocking pin being spring biased to protrude from said housing at a location adjacent said sear on said breech block, said sear, when in a cocked position with the breech closed, normally holding the cocking pin and hence the firing pin assembly in a cocked position such that the firing pin is held away from a position making contact with said primer, said sear, when released, allowing said cocking pin to move under its spring bias and hence allow the firing pin to move and cause firing of said primer and consequently the firing of said cartridge, and outlet means mounted on said breech block through which burning gases evolving from said cartridge are conducted to a remote location.
 17. The igniter as defined in claim 16 including a sensitive latch for holding said sear in a cocked position, and means for causing said sensitive latch to move, thus to release said sear and consequently cause the firing of said cartridge.
 18. The igniter as defined in claim 17 in which said means for releasing said sensitive latch is a pressure responsive device.
 19. The igniter as defined in claim 17 in which said means for releasing said sensitive latch is a temperature sensitive device, arranged to operate at a preestablished low temperature.
 20. The igniter as defined in claim 16 in which the body of said cartridge extends essentially in a direction opposite the direction of said outlet means, thus disposing the portion of said cartridge being ignited on the side toward said outlet and hence able to supply burning gases without an undesirable pressure buildup being involved due to the presence of the unburned cartridge.
 21. The igniter as defined in claim 3 in which said temperature sensitive device designed to expand at or about freezing temperature contains water to a large extent.
 22. The igniter as defined in claim 3 in which said temperature sensitive device designed to expand at or about freezing temperature contains a thermocouple made of two contiguous metals with different rates of contraction. 